Early detection of skin cancer symptoms can mean a successful treatment and recovery. You should know that skin cancer comes in five different types with differing degrees of severity and danger. It is important to be aware of their various skin cancer symptoms.
1. Basal cell carcinoma makes up seventy-five percent of all skin cancer cases. In the United States, approximately a million people suffer from this type of cancer each year. It is said to be caused by too much time in the sun. Early basil cell carcinoma skin cancer symptoms are normally found in areas that see excess sun exposure, including the face, upper body, and scalp. They develop in several different forms, including a shiny bump, a sore that seems to not heal, or a scar-like appearance. Luckily, this cancer usually does not grow very fast and it rarely spreads to the rest of the body. However, you should still look out for them, so that you can take appropriate treatment.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second common skin cancer that people are afflicted with. In America, two hundred thousand cases are seen yearly and this number makes up 20-percent of all the skin cancers. Like basil cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is also thought to be the result of excess sun exposure. Most at risk are the elderly and middle-aged. Skin cancer symptoms here first appears on the skin as a crusty area, but it then soon becomes red and irritated, much like a small boil or growth. Squarmous cell carcinoma can be dangerous as cancer cells can spread to the rest of the body very rapidly.
3. Melanoma affects about four percent of the skin cancer patients and is considered the most dangerous. If it is found early, it can be cured 95-percent of the time, but if it begins to spread, it will most likely be fatal. Skin cancer symptoms for melanoma are observed through changes in the appearance of a mole or if you notice a new odd looking mole.
4. The last percentage of skin cancer can be divided between Kaposi’s sarcoma and Paget’s disease. Kaposi’s sarcoma is AIDS related; hence only those afflicted with AIDS can be affected by this herpes related skin cancer.
5. Paget’s can occur in men or women and it is normally found in the sweat glands of the genitals, intestines, or urinary tract. Skin cancer symptoms usually appear around the genitals or the anus. It has also been seen around the nipples, however, due to the fact that it can come through the milk ducts of the breasts. An early sign of skin cancer symptoms for Paget’s is patchy skin. However, it may also appear in the form of a itchy or painful rash. A healthcare provider will be able to determine your skin cancer symptoms are Paget’s or something else.
